SI - Under-the-radar 'freelancers' a main source of college corruption
This article is about the Reggie Bush and NC football scandals. It basically says that it's not agents that are breaking the most rules, it's sports marketers who operate in a gray area. There were two bits that stuck out to me.
These individuals are the source of much of the corruption in college football today, and are at the center of NCAA investigations underway at schools such as North Carolina and Georgia, as well as probes at other schools that are expected to be made public in the coming weeks.
and...
Earlier this year, Michigan football players and aspiring pros Brandon Graham and Brandon Minorasked two fellow students they trusted -- Daniel Stillman and Jordan Klein -- to help them pick an agent. Less than a year later, Stillman and Klein have opened Compass Management Services, which manages the financial needs of those two NFL players and hopes to add others.
Stillman said concern for athletes being taken advantage of financially led him to start Compass Management Services. His intentions seem pure, but the fact remains that less than a year ago he was a college student, and now he is managing two NFL players' money.
I'm hoping Graham and Minor didn't contact these guys before they left school and that they stay away from our current players!
Edit: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/george_dohrmann/09/16/college.agents/1.html
September 16th, 2010 at 1:18 PM ^
The NCAA just needs to stay off our campus.
September 16th, 2010 at 1:24 PM ^
Did this author think that if those two NFL players trusted them to help pick an agent, that once they opened up their own firm, it would be unrealistic that they continue to trust them with their money?
It's not like they ran a firm in college, or when the athletes asked for advice. The fact of the matter is, BG and BM trusted these guys, so why is it odd they continue to trust them? If BG's dad gave him advice on what agent to pick, then BG came back and said, "Hey dad, help me manage my money," how would that be any different?
This is a non-issue in my opinion and nothing illegal took place. It looks like the author is trying to stir the pot by throwing out big names in hopes for more reads/site hits.
September 16th, 2010 at 1:26 PM ^
you're right. It's a totally different situation than the general player/agent bs. These were fellow students (not professional agents or firms) that gave personal advice to a friend. You can't blame them for creating a business after college. They are just being entrepreneurs
September 16th, 2010 at 1:29 PM ^
In the article the author is shooting holes in the thought that agents are the reason for all the trouble. It's former players and sports marketing places that are over stepping the rules.
September 16th, 2010 at 1:25 PM ^
I think they did. I remember articles in the spring about that. But this was after the season so it doesn't matter at that point.
Also you should provide a link.
September 16th, 2010 at 1:25 PM ^
Does anyone know, were there rumblings at schools like Georiga or UNC about this before it was public knowledge or did it come out of nowhere?
September 16th, 2010 at 1:31 PM ^
I thought the first report was that a player went to a party in Miami that was thrown by a former player or agent or something.
September 16th, 2010 at 1:27 PM ^
My understanding is seniors can pick agents/request advice once they are done with there final year or have enrolled in the draft. Shouldn't be any worries for Minor and BG since "earlier this year" is after the 2009 football season.
I specifically remember seeing Gabe Watson driving around a Hummer on what had to 42 inch rims (sarcasm, but man they were impressive) during Winter semester his senior year.
September 16th, 2010 at 1:35 PM ^
On the local sports radio station here in Oregon about a month ago they had an "expert" on talking about the NCAA investigations. One thing that was brought up is that instead of just buying things for the players like in the past, players are receiving refillable debit cards. The source of the money is almost impossible to trace and as long as the player doesn't flaunt the money no one will even know about it.
September 16th, 2010 at 1:44 PM ^
I'm sure they probed around at Michigan because everyone wants to see us fail. Hopefully it doesn't become a distraction if UM is one of the schools on the list.
September 16th, 2010 at 3:14 PM ^
I wouldn't call it news that marketers are populating Shadytown when it comes to college athletics. Look at the shoe people that hover around these basketball tournaments.